Jacket: GAP | Tee: Madewell (less than $20!) | Jeans: Bloomingdales (over 30% off!), Similar less expensive | Earrings: BaubleBar | Bangle: Kate Spade | Bracelet: Stella & Dot | Necklace: Kendra Scott

A few years ago, they put all of these mini products to “create” a line at Sephora; they 100% created that little section for me.  I am fully aware that they put those little items there because they know you have to stand there for 10 minutes checking out and will think, “Hey, I saw a YouTube video about this product; this mini version is only $12…I totally need it.”  It’s bad when you know why they put them there, and you still willingly fall for it every.single.time.  Since I am trying so many new products there so often, I figured it would be fun to start a series of what I liked, what I didn’t, what was worth the price tag, and what wasn’t.  I feel like all too often, we only hear what people loved, but you and I both know, there’s plenty out there that isn’t so awesome.  So, I hope through this series you can find some new products you love, and others you don’t have to waste your money on!

1. Anastasia Liquid Lipstick (in “Soft Lilac”)

I know, I know.  I have probably been hiding under a rock for waiting so long to try this stuff, but seriously, I now understand the hype!  Let’s just say that since buying this in the beginning of April, I know am the proud owner of three of them: Soft Lilac, Pure Hollywood, & Rio.  The formula is pretty liquid-y going on [is that a word?!], but dries matte and stays on.  No lie, it’s not going anywhere.  Daniel isn’t usually the biggest fan of lipsticks because he can’t kiss me without wearing it himself, but this stuff changes all that!  The only thing I do notice is when eating oily or greasy foods (i.e. salad dressing or fried food), it tends to loose it’s “stick.”  I also haven’t found a chapstick that works well on top of it without it smearing a bit, and sometimes I like wearing a chapstick over matte lipsticks.  So, if you know of one, I would love to hear your recommendations!

2.  No Bleeding Lips Lipliner

This is a lipliner that’s completely clear that is supposed to keep bold lipsticks from feathering or bleeding.  I figured it would be awesome to pair with the Anastasia Liquid Lipsticks so that I wouldn’t have to purchase liners to go with all of them (you don’t necessarily need a liner though! I don’t wear one usually).  However, I feel like it did nothing.  I notice no difference with or without it, so to me that’s a waste of money.  However, there a tons of awesome reviews, so maybe I just don’t like it?  The formula is a silicone type, and I tend to dislike foundation primers of this formula also, so that could also be why I didn’t care for it!

3.  itCosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination SPF 50 (in Light)

Of all the products I tried this month, this was the one I wanted to like the most, and it’s the one I absolutely disliked the most!  When summer comes around, I look for a light foundation that has an SPF in it, so this had all the potential to fit that bill.  You guys, I have really never disliked a foundation more.  It could be because the formula has “illumination”which is like a shimmer, and I am not about a shimmery face at all.  But I found the formula to be greasy (and I have extremely dry skin), and have poor staying power.  By mid-day I felt like i could take my finger and just wipe it off my face.  Anyways, I have met several people who love this product, so totally preference!

4.  Estée Lauder Double Wear Light (Intensity 1.0)

When the itCosmetics CC+ cream didn’t work out, I found this formula which is a lighter version of my tried and true, favorite-ever foundation (Estée Lauder Double Wear…I wear shade 1N2 Ecru).  Of course, I love it, which was pretty much expected because I love the normal version, but it definitely has some downfalls.  It isn’t as light as I would have wanted (its more of a medium coverage), and there’s no SPF, so I still have to wear sunscreen underneath.  I don’t really mind, but I would love it if they put SPF in it (are you reading, Estée Lauder?!)  I wear this sunscreen underneath and it’s awesome because it’s a liquid, not a lotion, which I never knew was a thing until I tried it; super thin and you don’t notice it’s even on!  You need it for summer!

5.  Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadow (in “Champagne”) & Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow (in “Taupe”)

With summer coming, I was looking for a simple and light every-day eyeshadow combo I could wear.    These colors looked gorgeous in the containers, and I had never tried Bobbi Brown shadow before, so I gave them a try.  I can’t say I really disliked them, but I didn’t like them either.  The pigmentation wasn’t very good for an eyeshadow of this price, and it didn’t stay on very well.  I prefer MAC shadows to these…much more pigmented and so much less expensive!

6. Sigma Beauty Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette (c/o)

Before this palette, I had never tried Sigma products.  I had heard awesome things about their brushes, but didn’t even know they had a make-up line as well.  When they sent me this palette along with their brushes (which are as amazing as claimed to be!  I have the Best of Sigma set HERE), I didn’t have any presuppositions about whether it would be good or not.  I love this palette!  We are in Hawaii right now, and it’s the only shadows I brought!  It’s super easy to travel with, and you can make a daytime look and nighttime look with it.  There’s a good mix of shimmers and matte shadows too, which I always look for in a palette!

7.  Bobbi Brown ‘Eye Opening’ Mascara

When I was buying the Bobbi Brown eyeshadows, the girl at the counter told me about this new mascara they came out with and how much she loved it, so I figured I would give it a try.  Overall, I wasn’t impressed, and have reverted back to my original mascara ways.  And I figure, at $30 a tube, I better pretty much be in love.  [Sidenote: my favorite mascara routine is this primer, followed by this drugstore mascara, and topped off with this Dior mascara.  By putting the drugstore mascara underneath the Dior, I use much less and it lasts me so much longer!]

8.  YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain (in “15-Rose Vinyl”)

This is the perfect dewy, summer lip product!  It goes on like a gloss and smells like candy!  I love the shape of the applicator, which sounds weird but if you try it, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.  And I love that it smells good, but only when you’re putting it on.  It my lipsticks or glosses are too smelly, no matter how good they smell, I get a headache…haha!  It’s kind of pricey, but an awesome option if you’re looking for a summer color that goes with everything.  It’s very thin, but stains your lips just like it says, so you don’t have to worry about it coming off on things or your hair sticking to it (gross…but you know exactly what I’m talking about!)

9.  Invisibobble Traceless Hair Ring

My mom got me these for Easter, and they are pretty neat!  They are true to their name in the fact that they don’t leave a crease in your hair when you put it in a ponytail.  I like to sleep in them at night when I’m not going to shower the next morning.  They dig into your hair, so I have heard they’re great for thicker hair because the band won’t slide right out.  That is their only downfall for my hair though; I have very fine, thin hair and because they “dig” into my hair, I have to take it out carefully to avoid breaking hairs.

10.  Baublerella Bling Brush (c/o)

I have to admit, when I got this in the mail I was a bit skeptical about how well it would work.  It’s a little brush applicator that you twist to get the cleaning solution to come out, and then brush your jewelry with it.  It can be used on real jewelry or cosmetic jewelry and helps to bring them “back to life.”  It’s such a little “pen” that I thought would be perfect to take with me on vacations to keep my jewelry looking pretty!  I was so pleasantly surprised when I used this for the first time!  It totally does all it claims, and gives you the perfect “refresh” in between deep cleanings.  [My favorite deep cleaning method for my rings is a toothbrush and toothpaste!  Definitely try it!]  I brought the BlingBrush with me to Hawaii and have used it before our dinners at night to keep my ring extra sparkly!  Definitely a must if you’re a new fiancée or bride!!  And they’re now available at Nordstrom and Ulta!

Have you tried any of these products?!  Did you feel the same about them or did you have a totally different experience?

Shop the Post